Children First - Blog

Parktcular Parade

2009-06-23T11:16:00.004-06:00

What a great day for a parade! Thanks to the volunteers who represeneted Children First in the Parktacular parade on June 20th. Pictured here: Hannah, Pastor Carl, Kim, Karen, Phil, Aidan, Karoline, Brahim and Stephen.

Asset Poster

2009-06-10T08:38:00.007-06:00

Thanks to the artists who created the fabulous 40 canvases that are now displayed on the 40 assets poster. The original art is on display through July at the Starbucks at Excelsior & Grand. Check back to see the exhibit schedule beyond July.

To find out how to obtain a copy of the poster email Karen.

The project was made possible through the generosity of a St. Louis Park Arts & Culture Grant, a collaborative partnership between the City of St. Louis Park, St. Louis Park Friends of the Arts and the St. Louis Park Community Foundation.

2009-06-09T16:00:00.000-06:00

Check out Children First's latest newsletter!

4 Girl Scouts - 40 Assets - 40 organizations

2009-03-18T14:53:00.002-06:00

Four Girl Scouts working toward their Silver Award are helping Children First create an inspiring way to share the message about the 40 developmental assets, which are character-building traits young people need to be successful. Mariah, Jenna, Ali and Kelsey from St. Louis Park Girl Scout Troop 10297 have contacted 40 organizations in St. Louis Park asking them to depict one of the 40 assets by creating a painting.

The 40 paintings will appear during a gallery show at the Children First Ice Cream Social on Sunday, May 17 at Wolfe Park and will also be made into a poster available for distribution that day. After the Ice Cream Social, the 40 paintings will be divided into smaller groups and be exhibited at public locations in the community. This project was made possible through the generosity of a St. Louis Park Arts & Culture grant.

According to the Girl Scouts, the project is designed:
• To build community by bringing together a variety of local organizations focused on an artistic project.
• To educate the community through art about Children First and the 40 developmental assets.
• To provide an advertising tool, the poster, for more than 100 trained Asset Champion volunteers to use in furthering their effort to communicate with the community about Children First.

The Girl Scouts were diligent about securing organizations that represented the community. The most difficult part of the project to date was narrowing the list to 40 groups because there are so many wonderful organizations that support St. Louis Park youth. Artists involved in the project are from pre-school age through senior citizens.

The 40 organizations participating are:
AAA Minneapolis
Aldersgate United Methodist Church
Aquila Primary Center
Benilde-St. Margaret's School
Boys to Men (St. Louis Park High School student group)
Byerly's
Central Clinic
Citizens Independent Bank
St. Louis Park City Council
City of St. Louis Park
Day One (St. Louis Park High School student group)
Early Childhood Family Education
Elmwood Neighborhood Association
English Language Learner class – St. Louis Park Junior High
St. Louis Park Fire Department
St. Louis Park Friends of the Arts
Girl Scouts
The Latino Association for Higher Achievement (St. Louis Park High School student group)
St. Louis Park League of Women Voters
Lenox Senior Center
Meadowbrook Collaborative
Minneapolis Jewish Day School
Minnikhda Vista Neighborhood Association
Nordicware
Park Nicollet Foundation
Parktacular
St. Louis Park Police Department
Ridgedale YMCA
Rotary Club of St. Louis Park
St. Louis Park School Board
St. Louis Park Special Education - 9/12 Program
St. Louis Park Business Council– TwinWest Chamber of Commerce
St. Louis Park Emergency Program - STEP
St. Louis Park Library
St. Louis Park Soccer Association
St. Louis Park Transportation Co.
Westwood Hills Nature Center
The Whole Learning School
Youth Development Committee
Youth Frontiers

2008-11-18T10:02:00.002-06:00

Asset Champions Network Gathering

Tuesday, December 2

7 - 8:30 p.m.

St. Louis Park High School

The Tuesday, December 2nd Asset Champion Gathering will be focused on developing a tool for Asset Champions to connect and stay in touch. Michael, Jordan, Leigha and friends will train Asset Champions on the nuances of Facebook. The meeting will be held 7-8:30 p.m. in the Media Center at St. Louis Park High School.

During this session, our trainers will help Asset Champions create their own page and set them up as members of the Asset Champions Network group. A nice feature of Facebook is that when you receive a message, you can have an alert sent to your email. Through a link in the email message, you can receive your Facebook message.

This is a great opportunity to get up to date on this technology. If you are interested in learning more about the Asset Champions Network email Karen.

Children First hosts national & international guests

2008-11-18T09:58:00.005-06:00

People from across the globe had the chance to learn about how a community can stay attentive to the healthy development of young people during a Healthy Communities Healthy Youth pre-conference session held at St. Louis Park City Hall. The conference was hosted by Search Institute. The session's focus was the creation of the Asset Champions Network.

Pictured here: Mitch, Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada, Joan and Debra, Monroe County, NY, Lori and Amanda, Glasgow, KY and Injie, Cairo, Egypt, spent the day with Nancy, Search Institute and Karen, Children First.

Thanks to those involved in Children First who shared their expertise during the pre-conference session: Co-chairs John (St. Louis Park Police Department) and Michael, (St. Louis Park High School) Tom, (City of St. Louis Park) Debra, (St. Louis Park Schools) Mayor Jeff , Mick, (Park Nicollet Foundation) Marjie, (Aldersgate United Methodist Church) Shannon, (Melrose Institute) Linda, (St. Louis Park Community Education) and Bob, (Nurturing Our Retired Citizens-NORC).

2008-10-22T08:24:00.004-06:00

15 reasons why we should celebrate
Children First's 15th anniversary...

Those who attended the 15th anniversary celebration shared ways that they see the Children First philosophy alive in St. Louis Park. Here are 15 of their examples.

1. St. Louis Park High School has the 9th grade asset building program to smooth the transition of freshmen to the high school. (Bonding to school)
2. At Union Congregational Church children have the same name tags as the adult members. (Youth as resources)
3. Students who have graduated become professionals and return to give back to the schools and community organizations. (Other adult relationships)
4. Parks & Recreation provides many activities for youth: Kids Garage Sale, Penny Carnival, Splash Pad at Oakhill Park and new playground at Oregon Park to name a few. (Youth Programs)
5. Bookmark in the Park encouarges a community discussion around a book that everyone is encouarged to read. (Reading for pleasure)
6. Central Clinic run by a partnership between Park Nicollet Health Services and St. Louis Park Schools provides free physical and mental health services for youth in the community. (Community values youth)
7. Whole Learning School hosts Special Person Day when students bring a caring adult in their life to school to show them what they are learning. (Adult role models)
8. Minneapolis AAA's Minneapolis Auto Foundation for Safety is dedicated to kids and traffic safety. (Safety)
9. The Oakhill Neighborhood Association hosts family events like a bonfire and sleigh ride and ice skating rink parties. (Caring neighborhood)
10. 150 non-parent adults volunteer in the public schools every week and working in classrooms, one-on-one or in small groups. (Achievement motivation)
11. A neighbor works an immigrant family in the neighborhood to help the children assimilate.
(Cultural competence)
12. Many from the community including people from the Police, Inspections and Fire Departments volunteer at Meadowbrook Collaborative's Homework Help program. (Other adult relationships)
13. A student is organizing volunteers to distribute contribution envelopes so her neighborhood can sponsor a scholarship through Dollars for Scholars. (Youth as resources)
14. Sports organizations and volunteer coaches are great examples for kids. (Adult role models)
15. More than 100 people have been trained as Asset Champions and are intentionally focusing on the healthy development of St. Louis Park young people where they live, work, volunteer and go to school. (Community values youth)

Children First 15th anniversary celebration

2008-09-17T09:41:00.005-06:00

It's not too late to make plans to attend Children First's 15th anniversary celebration on Thursday, September 25, 7-9 p.m. Special guest Dr. Peter Benson, president, Search Institute, will share information from his soon-to-be published book Sparks!: How Parents Can Ignite the Hidden Strengths of Teenagers.

Special thanks to our premeir sponsor
Japs-Olson Company

Thanks to our supporters
AAA Minneapolis and its Minneapolis Auto Club Foundation for Safety
Karen & Fred Atkinson
Harley & Verna Bergren
Citizens Independent Bank
Larson Allen, CPAs
Park Nicollet Foundation
Special Friend
Special Friend

The event is co-presented with St. Louis Park Schools Parent Academy. The registration fee is $10 per adult and $5 per young people. Reservations can be made online at: http://www.slpcommunityed.com/

Celebrate Children First's 15th Anniversary on September 25

2008-08-28T14:28:00.003-06:00

Children First's 15th Anniversary Celebration

Thursday, September 25, 2008

7- 9 p.m.

Doubletree Park Place Hotel

$10 per adult, $5 per young person

Make reservations through Community Education's online registration.

Thanks to the generosity of our corporate sponsor Japs-Olson Company.

Join us at this special gathering that will:
• Bring together those in St. Louis Park committed to the healthy development of young people.
• Inform about the new “Sparks” research Search Institute.
• Share what Children First has been up to with the Asset Champions Network.

You've heard about Developmental Assets, now you can be the first to learn about Sparks! Come hear Dr. Peter L. Benson. President of Search Institute and author of the soon-to-be released book, Sparks! How parents can help ignite the hidden strengths of teenagers.

While building Developmental Assets focuses on activating the community around young people to ensure that all kids get what they need to succeed through asset building...igniting a young person's Sparks focuses on the uniqueness of each child, her or his passion and ability to contribute to the world.

Dr. Benson, a leading authority on childhood and adolescence, will describe a simple yet powerful plan for awakening the spark that lives inside each and every young person. Sparks, when illuminated and nurtured, give young people joy, energy, and direction. They have the power to change a young person's life from one of "surviving" to "thriving." Grounded in new research with thousands of teenagers and their parents, "Sparks" offers a step-by-step approach to helping teenagers discover their unique gifts, and works for all families, no matter their economic status, parenting situation or ethnic background.

This event is co-presented with the St. Louis Park Schools Parent Academy.

A special dinner and conversation with Dr. Benson will be held at 5 p.m. The ticket price is $100 person person. Proceeds from the dinner event will benefit Children First. For more information email Children First.

Upcoming events

2008-08-13T13:45:00.001-06:00

Harvest Moon Coffee Shop
exhibit of the Champions Coloring Book

Young artists are decorating the super hero coloring pages and they are on display at Harvest Moon during the month of August. Harvest Moon is located at 5101 Minnetonka Blvd., St. Louis Park. Join us Thursday, August 21, for a gallery show when Asset Champions gather with artists and super heroes to view the art. Stop by between 7 - 8:30 p.m.

Celebrate 15 years with Children First!
Peter Benson speaks about new book & research

You've heard of the assets...now learn about Sparks and how they tie to assets. Dr. Peter Benson, president of Search Institute will speak in St. Louis Park on Thursday, Sept. 25, 7 p.m. at the Doubletree Park Place Hotel. Dr. Benson is author of the soon-to-be released book "Sparks! How parents can help ignite the hidden strengths in teenagers."

Registration is required and can be done online. Click this link.

Children First in Parktacular Parade

2008-06-11T08:33:00.002-06:00

Look for Children First in the St. Louis Park Parktacular Parade on Sat., June 14 at noon. We will be handing out Champions coloring books. Look for some of the featured super heroes in the parade!

Share about a Super Hero you know!

2008-05-16T12:09:00.002-06:00

If you are here, you probably saw the Champions coloring book featuring 15 real-life super heroes for kids. Share your story of a super hero for kids by adding a comment to this post. Thanks for stopping by!

Children First Ice Cream Social

2008-05-12T14:14:00.004-06:00

The Children First Ice Cream Social is Sunday, May 18, 2-5 p.m. at Wolfe Park, 3700 Monterey Dr., St. Louis Park adjcent to the St. Louis Park Recreation Center. Festivities include FREE Sebastian Joe's and kosher ice cream cones, entertainment & family activites. In case of rain, the event will be held inside the Rec Center.

Entertainment in the Wolfe Park Ampitheater:
2 p.m. Introduction of Super Heroes
4 STAR - junior high rock-n-roll band
3 p.m. Meadowbrook Drumming Circle with Stan Kipper & Chico Perez
4 p.m. Popcorn Oasis - senior high rock/jam band

Actvities include a moonwalk, face painting, crafts, temporary tattoos and a kids garage sale.

PIck up a free copy of the Super Heroes coloring book!!!!

Real live super heroes clad in red capes will be on hand for the premier of the coloring book that features their legendary actions that support children. What does it take to be a superhero? Recognizing the important landmarks in young people’s lives, seeing them off at the bus stop on the first day of school, playing tuba with them in the school band or promoting empathy through community service projects. These are some of the actions that are featured in the coloring book.
Nominations were sought in the community and these 15 were selected from the 120 people nominated.

The featured superheroes and assets they promote are:
• George Bickham who works at the Kids Connection program at Perspectives Family Center. Asset: Interpersonal
Competence
• Mila Castillo, a 2nd grade teacher at Park Spanish Immersion School. Asset: Cultural Competence
• Frank Johnson, the principal at Peter Hobart Primary Center. Asset: Achievement Motivation
• Merrie Marinovich, a neighbor in the Minikhada Vista Neighborhood. Asset: Caring Neighborhood
• Madelon & Ali, seniors at Benilde-St. Margaret’s School. Asset: Sense of Purpose
• Siar Nadem, police officer, St. Louis Park Police Department. Asset: Adult Role Model
• Neil Newman, Cantor Emeritus, Beth El Synagogue. Asset: Religious Community
• Peggy Rick, coordinator and parent educator, St. Louis Park Community Education. Asset: Family Support
• Elliott Royce, volunteer, St. Louis Park Junior High and resident, Parkshore Place. Asset: Other Adult Relationships
• Steve Tharaldson, teller, Citizens Independent Bank. Asset: Community Values Youth
• Ann Thomas and Sue Wolfe, parent volunteers & founders, Day One back-to-school celebration. Asset: Bonding to
School
• Mark Zembryki, interpretive naturalist, Westwood Hills Nature Center. Asset: Youth Programs
• Sabina Zimering, holocaust survivor and author of Hiding in the Open, A Holocaust Memoir. Asset: Equality & Social
Justice

Children First Ice Cream Social

2008-05-06T21:07:00.004-06:00

Sunday, May 18
2 -5 p.m.
Wolfe Park
3700 Monterey Dr.

Don' miss the excitement of the 15th annual Children First Ice Cream Social. Have a free Sebastian Joe's or kosher ice cream cone, enjoy entertainment and participate in family-friendly activities including a Kids Garage Sale.

New this year...Meet the Super Heroes!!!
Fifteen people who use their powers to build asset in young people are featured in the first-ever Children First super heroes coloring book. Come to the Ice Cream Social to pick up your copy. You can have the super heroes sign your book and have your photo taken with them.

Entertainment in Wolfe Park Ampitheater
2 p.m. - 4 STAR junior high rock band
3 p.m. - Meadowbrook Drumming Circle with Stan Kipper & Chico Perez
4 p.m. - Popcorn Oasis senior high rock/jam band
Thanks to St. Louis Park Friends of the Arts and St. Louis Park Parks & Recreation for sponsoring the entertainment.

In case of inclement weather, the Children First Ice Cream Social will be held in the Rec Center.

Summary of April 29 meeting

2008-04-30T14:30:00.006-06:00

Missed the quarterly gathering? Here’s a summary.

Asset Champions shared their successes:
- Becky from Westwood Hills Nature Center. One thing the Nature Center focuses on is the asset of "safety" after discovering from the young people who visit the nature center that having a safe outdoor experience is important to them. Becky has talked at a staff meeting about assets and why they are important. Then before the summer camps, she reminded staff about the importance of supporting kids while they teach about nature. She attached a list of the assets, highlighting the ones that their program touches. She includes 10 examples of how to connect with youth in their volunteer newsletter. Her ideas come from Search Institute's "150 Ways to Show Kids You Care," publication.

- Bob from Nurturing Our Retired Citizens (NORC) wrote an article for the organization's newsletter. He pointed out how teens and seniors are natural allies and how the rest of the population views them, (they dress funny, people worry about how they drive, etc.) He has talked to folks at Lenox Senior Center about events including promoting the Children First Ice Cream Social. He has also distributed copies of Search's "150 Ways" to NORC board members.

- Marjie from Aldersgate United Methodist Church kicked off activities with the Mayor, dressed in his red cape, and a teen member of the congregation, performing the "Asset Champion Man" skit at a Sunday service. (Photo above.) She has trained the church's 8-member staff and provided training at the adult education hour. There is an Asset a Week in the bulletin. After 40 weeks, they plan to have someone share an asset example in their Joys & Concerns during services. They also had each member write a commitment to touch the life of a child on paper handprints. The handprints are posted in fellowship hall as a reminder to how many lives they can reach. This summer, youth will be paired with Faith Partner adults. These relationships will not be solely faith-based, but will work toward the asset of "Other Caring Adults." She shared Search Institute's book "What Young Children Need to Succeed," written by Jolene Roehlkepartain that gives many practical asset-building examples.

Jennifer runs the Aquila Service Club which began in 2007 with the vision of providing 1-3 graders an authentic service learning experience. This year the Service Club grew from 15 to 40! They have been meeting since late fall and have done many amazing projects. Their projects include making things for and spending time at Golden Hills Living Center, organizing and successfully carrying out a school supply drive for an orphanage in Honduras, cleaning the Aquila camps on Earth Day, and visiting STEP to learn about the wonderful services they offer residents of St. Louis Park.

Lee-Ann, a teacher at Park Spanish Immersion, started a stepping dance group for students at the school that is comprised primarily of male students.

Sarah from the City/School Volunteer Office, shared opportunities for people, young and old, to volunteer during the summer Parktacular celebration.

UPCOMING EVENTS
• Children First Ice Cream Social, Sunday, May 18, 2-5 p.m. at Wolfe Park by the Rec Center. Volunteers are needed to help with set up and clean up, work at the Children First table handing out coloring books and scoop ice cream.
• Parktacular Parade, Saturday, June 14, 11:30 a.m. - 2 p.m. Children First will have a convertible with people walking along side it handing out coloring books. Our super heroes have been invited to join us, and you're invited too!
• Dr. Peter Benson, President, Search Institute, presentation on his new "Sparks" research, on Thursday, September 25, 7 p.m. Save the date!
• Healthy Communities Healthy Youth pre-conference session focusing on the Asset Champions Network will be held in St. Louis Park on Wed., November 5. This is Search Institute's national conference and the first time they have offered an off-site session. Watch for more info.

7 more champions!

2008-04-17T11:25:00.003-06:00

Seven more Asset Champions have been trained in the last week. Welcome to the Network: Sarah, Citizens Independent Bank, Ann, Neighbor, Angela, Park Nicollet Foundation, Merrie, Neighbor, Pam, St. Louis Park Police Department, Lindsay, Cedar Manor Intermediate Center and Jennifer, AAA Minneapolis

April 29: Asset Champions Network meets

2008-04-08T12:29:00.001-06:00

There is a quarterly gathering of the Asset Champions Network on:

Tuesday, April 29
7:00 - 8:30 p.m.
AAA Minneapolis

Thanks to Asset Champion organization AAA Minneapolis for hosting this meeting in their new community room.

At the meeting Asset Champions will:

-Connect with other Asset Champions,
-Hear examples of what others are doing,
-Share, brainstorm and get input from one another and,
-Learn of some exciting Children First developments.

Junior High Eyeshttp://www.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gif

2008-04-02T15:47:00.002-06:00

Check it out! The Junior High Eyes after-school photo club took photos of asset builders in their lives. Click here to see.

Asset Champions Quarterly Gathering

2008-03-26T08:33:00.001-06:00

Calling all Asset Champions! The Asset Champions Network's next quarterly gathering is Tuesday, April 29, 7 p.m. at AAA Minneapolis in their new community room. Watch the blog for more info.

Asset Champions featured in national newsletter

2008-03-11T13:28:00.002-06:00

Children First's Asset Champions Network is featured in the March edition of Search Institutes's online newsletter. The newsletter is read by those interested in asset building across America and overseas. Check it out.

March 20: write a note to an Incredible Kid!

2008-03-10T08:22:00.001-06:00

Absolutely Incredible Kid Day is celebrated each year on the third Thursday. This year it's March 20. Sponsored by Camp Fire USA, the event is designed to encourage adults to let kids know just how valuable they are by writing them a letter.

The national letter-writing campaign urges adults to write letters of support and love to the children in their lives. The positive impact these letters have can last a lifetime, and work toward building developmental assets!

For more information on Absolutely Incredible Kid Day, or how to get involved, visit their web site

Children First Ice Cream Social - May 18

2008-02-25T13:31:00.005-06:00

The Children First Ice Cream Social is set for Sunday, May 18, 2-5 p.m. in Wolfe Park. Local organizations are invited to have interactive exhibit tables. For info email: info@children-first.org

Everyone's invited for FREE Sebastian Joe's and kosher ice cream cones. Attendees can participate in a variety of crafts, exhibits and family activities. Entertainment will be held in the amphitheater. The Super Heroes Coloring Book will be unveiled at this event. The coloring book will highlight people from the community who are super heroes for our kids.

In case of inclement weather, the even will be held inside the Rec Center.

Asset Champs from Congregations gather

2008-02-19T13:12:00.003-06:00

Asset Champions from St. Louis Park congregations are gathering Thurs., Feb. 21 at Aldersgate United Methodist Church. Come at noon and bring a lunch. Learn what others are doing and share what's going on in your congregation to build assets in young people.

Asset Champion Gatherings

2008-01-28T09:01:00.000-06:00

Several Asset Champion gatherings are coming up.

CHAMPION CHARGES

These are informal gatherings to connect with other Asset Champions, share ideas and get charged up! Stop by as your schedule permits and stay as long as you like.
Thursday, February 7, 11:30 a.m.- 1 p.m. at City Hall in the Community Room on the first floor. Bring your own lunch.
Tuesday, February 12, 7 - 8:30 p.m., Starbucks at Excelsior & Grand

MEETINGS BY SECTOR

Through the survey completed by Asset Champions many expressed interest in meeting with others from like organizations. Sector meeitngs are a chance for people in like organizations to explore ways to incorporate asset building into their work. Find out what others are doing. Please bring examples of things you have done.

Congregations will meet Thursday, February 21, 12 noon at Aldersgate United Methodist Church. Bring your own lunch.

I'm an Asset Champion...now what?

2008-01-09T16:26:00.000-06:00

Share the asset message….
Do “your people"* know about the 40 Developmental Assets? Share information with them. If they already know about the assets, make sure they know that you are an Asset Champion and that your organization has joined together with dozens of other St. Louis Park organizations to focus on youth through the Asset Champions Network.

It’s not hard to share the message. Here are some ways to do it:
❖ Show the Channel 4 Dimension Report video.
❖ Review the list of 40 Developmental Assets. Have people find an
asset that was important to them when they were younger OR have
them find an asset they envision themselves helping build in a
young person.
❖ Use “Asset Trivia” or any of the icebreakers from your Asset
Champion training manual.
❖ Include asset information on your website or in your newsletter.
❖ Explain why it’s important to build assets! Kids who have lots of
assets do better in school, volunteer in the community & have
healthier lifestyles. They are also less likely to be involved in risky
behaviors. Everyone has a role in building assets in youth.

Talk about what you already do to build Developmental Assets.
We already build assets in young people, whether we call it that or not. Part of being an Asset Champion is helping people be intentional about their support for young people. Share with each other the great things you already know that are going on.

Determine ways you can strengthen your asset building efforts.
❖ Is there a way to modify something you are doing to give it more of
an asset focus?
❖ What is something you can simply add to your day to demonstrate
that you are someone who cares about kids?
❖ Do you focus on building relationships while you interact with young
people? Do you say hi? Do you call them by name? Do you know
what their interests are? Do you notice when they are doing some-
thing right or provide constructive input when they are not?
❖ Recognize others with a simple comment when you notice they are
building assets in young people.

Need someone to talk through an idea or want to share what you’re doing? You can always contact Karen with ANYTHING to do with being an Asset Champion at (952) 928-6075 or atkinson.karen@slpschools.org or share it on this blog which you can access at the website: www.children-first.org

* “Your People” = co-workers, volunteers, students, parents, friends, members, staff, congregants, young people, colleagues or whoever it is you interact with as an Asset Champion.

(Photo by M. Jacobs)